Analysis: The Comrades Marathon ‘day of drama' starring Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn as victors
The beauty of the Comrades Marathon is that it doesn't matter whether you are an elite athlete or a novice runner — crossing that finish line after hours of running evokes the same emotions: elation and relief.
After hours of testing one's body, mind and spirit, reaching the finish is the best reward. The medal is just a bonus. As such, everyone who managed to endure the physical torture that comes with running the ultramarathon would have been as thrilled as the two 2025 champions, Tete Dijana and Gerda Steyn.
advertisement
Don't want to see this? Remove ads
On Sunday, about 22,000 runners lined up for the 98th edition of one of the toughest ultramarathons in the world, battling themselves and the clock for victory during the 90km run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.
'What a day of drama. Packed with action from the start, the men's race, the women's race. Then, of course, there was the greatest race of all: everybody against the clock. That clock ticks at a relentless pace. It never cramps and it never gets tired. It just keeps going,' said nine-time Comrades champion Bruce Fordyce on SuperSport.
Dijana's redemption
Chasing redemption following a calamitous display as defending champion in 2024 — which saw him finish 14th — Dijana paced himself admirably on the way to crossing the finish line first, in 5:25:28. A year ago, the pressure of winning a historic hat-trick of Comrades titles had tripped Dijana up. He was also hampered by cramps.
advertisement
Don't want to see this? Remove ads
In 2025, there were no such occurrences. Dijana bunched up with fellow favourites including the eventual men's runner-up, Piet Wiersma, Edward Mothibi, David Gatebe and Joseph Manyedi. They were all chasing the early pacesetter, Onalenna Khonkhobe.
Khonkhobe did not finish the race, despite leading it for 4½ hours. At one point, the 2024 Two Oceans Marathon winner enjoyed a gap of 19 minutes from the chasing pack, which featured Dijana and Wiersma.
At Pinetown's Cowies Hill, the chasers caught up to and passed Khonkhobe. Then Dijana, Wiersma and Mothibi peeled away from the bunch. However, Mothibi struggled to keep up with Wiersma and Dijana.
'Today was not a good day for me. I was fit, I was ready. It's only when you run where you don't know what to expect,' said Mothibi.
'With 20km to go, I started cramping, but I held on. When Tete saw I was not coming back, he asked me what's going on. I said, 'I'm getting cramps. I don't think I'll be good to run with you. So, if you have a chance to go, just go.' He did exactly that,' said he 2019 winner.
After failing to chase Dijana down, the Netherlands' Wiersma acknowledged that he and Dijana had built a rivalry over the last few years — one which will probably persist for some time as the two marathoners seek to outshine each other.
'Tete is clearly the down-run king right now. But I hope I can be the up-run king with a victory next year,' said Wiersma.
advertisement
Don't want to see this? Remove ads
advertisement
Don't want to see this? Remove ads
Steyn reigns supreme
While the crown for the current king of the Comrades is being jousted for by Dijana and Wiersma, Olympian Steyn reigns supreme in the women's segment.
Nevertheless, in Sunday's down run, Steyn did not have it all her way, with 2022 champion Alexandra Morozova putting pressure on her.
Steyn wore her trademark smile for large portions of the race. However, at times, she grimaced as Morozova hovered over her shoulder. Eventually, Steyn's experience and home advantage paid dividends as she cruised to victory over the Russian, with a gap of almost five minutes.
In third place, Kenya's Shelmith Muriuki became the first black woman to finish on the Comrades podium. Despite her history-making achievement, Muruiki finished 16 minutes behind home favourite Steyn.
'You feel like you are not inside your own body. It's like you are looking down on yourself doing it. To get to a point where you are in the finishing straight and you are going to win, it is meaningful and impactful,' said Steyn after her fourth Comrades victory.
With more than 24,000 entries for this year's race, the organisers split the participants into two groups at the starting point. They were 15 minutes apart, with the elite runners heading off first.
advertisement
Don't want to see this? Remove ads
About 22,000 runners eventually lined up and the staggered start worked well in preventing pushing and shoving at the beginning.
The exercise was a trial run for 2027, when many more participants are expected due to it being the 100th Comrades Marathon. DM
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
3 days ago
- TimesLIVE
Schmidt hails courageous Australia after famous win over Springboks
Australia coach Joe Schmidt hailed his side's courage side as they fought back from 22 points down to score five second-half tries and beat South Africa 38-22 in the cauldron of Ellis Park on Saturday. It ended a 62-year wait for Australia to claim victory at the Springboks' spiritual home, one that had looked unlikely after an excellent first quarter from the home side in their Rugby Championship opener. Schmidt admitted the first 20 minutes 'was not good for the heart', but Australia then took control of the game for a win that will rank among their best in Test rugby. 'At 22-0 down after the first quarter, there was real courage again from the players,' Schmidt told SuperSport. 'We were forced to play catch-up and take a few risks, and there were a few lucky bounces for us, so we are not going to get too carried away. 'But at the same time I am incredibly proud of the group. I am realistic about getting a little bit of luck, but delighted we came back. 1963 was a long time ago, so the players are delighted.'
The Citizen
4 days ago
- The Citizen
‘I'm putting this man to sleep,' vows Dricus ahead of Chimaev fight
The talking is done, it's now down to business for Dricus du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev, for the UFC middleweight title. All the prep work is done and the ingredients have come together nicely for a main course for the ages. South Africa's Dricus du Plessis, the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) middleweight champion, steps into the octagon at the United Centre in Chicago at UFC319 in the early hours of Sunday morning (SA time) to face undefeated Russian wrestler Khamzat Chimaev. The weigh-in on Saturday morning provided just a small taste of what is to come as UFC president Dana White had to step between the two as they faced off for the final time. Both fighters made weight for the most anticipated middleweight showdown in a long time with the champion weighing in just on the 185 pound limit, while the Russian stepped onto the scale at 183 pounds. 'Beat this guy up' 'I am just going out to beat this guy up, he has just one day left (with the title), then he is going to be dead,' a fired up Chimaev told UFC commentator Joe Rogan after their face-off. Du Plessis, who was greeted to his usual chants of boos by the packed United Centre crowd, echoed the Russian's sentiments. 'Let's see if they run out of steam as quick as last night,' Du Plessis said to the crowd, referring to the fans at the prefight press conference the day before, where the boos grew equally softer the more the champ spoke. 'He (Chimaev) is an absolute beast of an opponent, but I can tell you this, I am putting this man to sleep. Whether it be on the ground, or whether I knock him out, all of you (pointing to the crowd) will be cheering just like every other time.' The entire main card is stacked with great fights, so if you want to be treated to a scrumptious appetiser before the main course, tune in from 4am Sunday morning (SA time). For those only interested in the title fight, a safe bet would be to turn on your TV from about 6am to be dead sure not to miss any of the action. UFC 319 main fight card: Dricus du Plessis v Khamzat Chimaev (middleweight) Lerone Murphy v Aaron Pico (featherweight) Geoff Neal v Carlos Prates (welterweight) Jared Cannonier v Michael Page (middleweight) Tim Elliott v Kai Asakura (flyweight) The entire fight card will be screened live on SuperSport for South African audiences starting with the prelim card from 2am Sunday morning on DStv Grandstand and Action.
The South African
5 days ago
- The South African
BOMBSHELL as Two Oceans winner fails cannabis test
South African runner William Kaptein faces the likely annulment of his historic Two Oceans Half-Marathon win earlier this year after testing positive for a banned substance. The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) confirmed that Kaptein received a one-month suspension after cannabis was detected in his urine sample following the April race. Kaptein, 32, made headlines when he became the first South African to win the Two Oceans Half-Marathon since 1998, clocking 64:41 over the shortened 20.6km course. He narrowly edged national half-marathon champion Bennett Seloyi by just two seconds. However, under the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) 2025 Prohibited List, cannabinoids are banned during competition, making the presence of THC (the psychoactive component of cannabis) a violation on race day. In a public statement shared on Facebook, Kaptein claimed the result came as a shock. 'Two nights before my race, I smoked hookah at a party, as I often do in social settings, but I later learned the hookah had been spiked with weed without my knowledge. I never imagined something like this could happen.' While cannabis is legal in South Africa for private use, elite athletes remain subject to international anti-doping rules. The Two Oceans Marathon enforces a strict policy aligned with both SAIDS and WADA standards. Initially handed a three-month suspension, Kaptein's ban was reduced to one month after he completed a SAIDS-sanctioned substance abuse treatment programme – exactly the same as what Proteas fast bowler Kagiso Rabada did following his positive test for cocaine. Cannabis is not considered performance-enhancing, but its use can still result in penalties under current regulations. Kaptein, who has since returned to competition, said the experience has changed his outlook. 'I've learned my lesson and am back in competition now, feeling motivated and ready to move forward. Next year, I'll be back for that race again.' Neither SAIDS nor Athletics South Africa (ASA) has confirmed whether Kaptein's race result will be officially disqualified, but if standard protocol is followed, his victory is expected to be voided. However, ASA has confirmed that the appeals process runs out on Tuesday, 19 August and that they have to wait until then to officially release the final set of results. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
